New ''LabQuest(R)'' Software Makes Handheld Device More Versatile for Science Educators

''Vernier showcases support for video, wireless printing and periodic table graphing'

BEAVERTON, Ore., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Vernier Software & Technology showcased at the National Science Teachers Association in Philadelphia new features of the LabQuest 1.4 software update and also gave teachers a sneak peek at technology in development for the upcoming school year.

Available now, LabQuest 1.4 ships with two popular features -- wireless printing and periodic table graphing. Using the Vernier Wi-Fi USB adapter, teachers and students can print wirelessly to most Wi-Fi enabled printers, including those that set up their own adhoc network. Secondly, the periodic table application permits students to create periodic table plots, such as atomic weight versus atomic radius, and graph them to view trends. Many chemistry courses introduce periodic trends by having students graph by hand.  With LabQuest, chemistry students can now navigate through the periodic table to observe elements with similar properties reoccurring at regular intervals.

Vernier also gave educators a sneak peek at two features in development. In the next school year, LabQuest will be able to play full screen video. This allows educators to download short instructional videos on how to set up experiments or pose questions for student investigation. In addition, science students will be able to wirelessly transfer data from the LabQuest to a remote computer.

"Science teachers around the country provide us with inspirational ideas for improving data-collection technology in the classroom," said David Vernier, co-founder of Vernier and a former physics teacher. "Our goal is to improve science education by innovating new sensors and developing new software features for LabQuest. We think LabQuest's new features showcased at NSTA help science educators teach both simple and advanced concepts with state-of-the-art technology."

Availability and Pricing

Current LabQuest customers can download the LabQuest 1.4 software at www.vernier.com/labquest/updates. A list of compatible Wi-Fi printers may be found at http://www.vernier.com/labquest/printers/

The LabQuest sells for $329. Vernier is also offering its handheld solution at a newly reduced price of $299 per unit when purchasing eight or more units. For more information visit the web site at http://www.vernier.com/labquest/updates/.

About LabQuest:

LabQuest is a handheld data-collection interface that contains six sensor ports. Its applications include a stopwatch, a periodic table, an on-screen keyboard and a scientific calculator. LabQuest has won a variety of awards for education including: The Worlddidac Award, the AEP Distinguished Achievement Award, Tech & Learning Award of Excellence and the Teacher's Choice Award.

LabQuest is splash proof, can withstand a temperature range of 0 – 70 degrees C, and includes rubber molding for shock absorption, making the device suitable for both the classroom and field studies. The handheld allows students to collect scientific data from more than 65 sensors and view the information as a meter, data table or graph on the color graphic display.

About Vernier Software & Technology

Vernier Software & Technology has been an innovator of data-collection technology for 29 years and their products can be found in 130 countries.  Creating easy-to-use and affordable science interfaces, sensors, and software, their products are used in education from elementary school to college. Vernier helps teachers enhance their science curriculum, increase learning, and build students' critical thinking skills. For more information visit www.vernier.com.

SOURCE Vernier Software & Technology